Marin shelter dogs fetch a lifeline

Having a furry friend has been proven to reduce health risks and make people happier. Unfortunately, not every animal shelter can afford to house animals who need homes for very long— and that’s not very happy at all.

One Bay Area nonprofit, Copper’s Dream, is fixing to change that. Copper’s Dream provides homes for unadopted stray and abandoned dogs from shelters. Last weekend, they held an open house to showcase their adoptable pets and promote their no-kill message.

Jennifer Wang, Copper’s Dream founder, told the Twin Valley Times that Marin’s dog-friendly vibe is partly what inspired her project:

“…we thought there would be the potential to recruit a lot of new fosters and volunteers to join the mission to end the euthanasia of adoptable shelter animals.”

Her other inspiration? A cocker spaniel named — you guessed it — Copper.

When Wang was eight years old, she convinced her parents to buy her a dog. That dog later grew to live a long, healthy and slightly mischievous life. She believes the pup would have wanted all dogs to live the fruitful life he did:

“Every dog in this world to be able to live out the full, happy, and adventurous life that he was able to do.”

The operation will run out of home of the nonprofit’s director, Lee Kuhn. Wang believes a home environment for the dogs is essential to the success of the program.

“We feel dogs are more likely to thrive in a home environment, especially when they have already been in a shelter for months. We’re a foster-based rescue, so we don’t have a physical shelter.”

Most dogs will be able to be put in foster homes almost immediately. After all, who could resist those puppy dog eyes?

Copper’s Dream hopes to be able to handle up to 15 dogs each week. Help is always needed, from volunteers, to potential foster homes, to adoptive parents.

In the event that dogs cannot find a home quickly, they are put in the care of a director of the agency.

The agency’s new location in San Rafael is also helping transport animals from high-kill shelter areas to other locations, where their risks for euthanasia are low.

Copper’s Dream has helped save 720 dogs since 2009. They have upcoming adoption events coming up Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. at Petco on Sloat, and next Saturday April 21 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Petfood Express on Stevens Creek in San Jose.